BOX SCORE
NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – Thirty three second-half points propelled the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology women's basketball team to its first Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) victory this season, a 52-44 win over Manchester University on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Manchester took the early 9-4 lead, but a 10-0 run in just over five minutes gave the FIghtin' Engineers a 14-9 advantage. The two teams would go into halftime tied 19-19.
After a defensive first half, the Rose-Hulman offense hit its stride in the second. Trailing 25-21 early in the second half, the Engineers scored the game's next 17 points in six minutes to gain a 38-25 advantage with 10:56 to play in regulation. Manchester would get within six points on two occasions late in the game, but could get no closer.
Senior Gracie Gibbs led all scorers with 12 points, marking the eighth time in her career Gibbs scored in double figures. The Parker, Colo., native also led everyone grabbing seven rebounds. Sophomore Kristen Belyea added nine points and four assists. Junior Cassidy Cain and sophomore Abbie Marshall each added eight points.
As a team, Rose-Hulman shot 55 percent (19-34) from the field, marking the first time the Engineers have shot over 55 percent since Jan. 22, 2014. Rose-Hulman's defense continues to be its trademark as the Spartans converted just 15-48 field goals in the contest.
The Engineers also held a slight 31-28 rebounding advantage including a 27-15 edge in defensive rebounding.
The victory over Manchester snaps a two-game losing streak to the Spartans dating back to the 2012-13 season.
Rose-Hulman improves to 5-3 on the season along with a 1-1 mark in HCAC play. The Engineers return to action Wednesday, Dec. 17, for a 7:30 p.m. game at Anderson.
